Manchester man has lost hundreds of pounds

A Manchester man struggling with his weight has now lost hundreds of pounds.

News 9 first met Gregg Blanchard last year. His wife had asked for help from a hospital to get him out of the house because of health concerns. Since then, he has lost a staggering amount of weight.

"I'm now 474 pounds," he said. "That's 330 pounds gone."

It hasn't been easy. Since News 9 last reported on Blanchard in early summer, he's had back-to-back infections and hospitalizations that kept him weak and sick for months.

"What happened was I wasn't getting that fuel my body needed," he said. "I felt lethargic and didn't feel like working out."

But Blanchard fought harder until he finally worked up the courage and the strength to take a stroll down the street.

Blanchard said nothing would have been possible without his biggest cheerleader, his wife, Ann. He has also had tough love from his trainer, Mary Wiseman, who has volunteered her time and knowledge in the firm belief that she could help change his life.

Despite a few setbacks along the way, Wiseman said her support has never wavered.

"We had to take that first step again," she said. "When he did, we were on a roll, down the steps and 'let's go for a walk.'"

Blanchard said he's transforming himself mentally, as well, not focusing on who he used to be.

"I used to be the 804-pound man," he said. "I don't want to be referred to like that. That was the old me."

Blanchard's short-term goals include getting into a car and visiting Wiseman's Manchester gym. His wife said she would like to take a trip to North Carolina next year.

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